SK
Poprad
The gateway to the High Tatras, with a historic quarter and castles nearby
The gateway to the High Tatras, with a historic quarter and castles nearby
Granite peaks rise to 2,655m at Gerlachovský štít. Trails lead to mountain lakes, huts and viewpoints.
High trails close each year from 1 November to 15 June.
Photo: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0
Narrow-gauge electric trains run from Poprad to Starý Smokovec, Tatranská Lomnica and Štrbské Pleso.
Photo: Honza Groh (Jagro), CC BY-SA 3.0
This old town quarter has burghers’ houses and St George’s Church, with a Gothic altar by Master Paul of Levoča.
Photo: Dobroš, CC BY-SA 4.0
About half an hour east, the vast ruins of Spiš Castle are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes the old town of Levoča.
Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try bryndzové halušky, pirohy and hearty mountain dishes in a koliba (rustic restaurant).
Mountain huts serve simple hot meals to hikers.
Trains from Bratislava take about 5 hours, and from Košice about 1.5 hours. Poprad-Tatry Airport has limited, mostly seasonal flights.
Electric trains and buses connect to the mountain resorts.
Slovakia uses the euro (€). Prices are lower than in Western Europe.
Mountains and castles.
Take the train to the lake and hike to Popradské Pleso.
Ride the cable car at Tatranská Lomnica or hike from Starý Smokovec.
Visit Spiš Castle and Levoča, then Spišská Sobota.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Slovakia is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Check trail closures and weather before hiking.
The Tatra trains are scenic and cheap.
Mountain rescue can charge for call-outs; consider insurance.
Resorts operate from roughly December to March.
Quick answers for planning time in Poprad.
Yes, trains and buses run to the main resorts.
Usually from 16 June to 31 October.
By train from Bratislava (about 5 hours) or Košice.
About half an hour by car.
June to September for hiking, December to March for skiing.
Planning a wider trip? Our Slovakia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.